6A softball: Moore's walk-off grand slam lifts Sparkman

When two-time defending Class 6A champion Sparkman needs a big play in the bottom of the seventh, you'd expect a multiple letter-winning senior to come through in the clutch.

But when the Senators needed it the most, coach Dale Palmer put in Bailey Moore, a junior pitcher who spent most of the season on junior varsity.

Trailing by one in the bottom of the seventh, Moore hit a walk-off grand slam to boost the Senators to a 5-2 win over Mary Montgomery and keep Sparkman in the winner's bracket.

"I've been part of a walk-off home run, but I don't think ever a grand slam," Palmer, an 18-year coaching veteran said. "It broke me down. I was so happy I was crying. It was amazing."

Moore spent the season pitching for the junior varsity to gain experience on the mound. Palmer put Moore in as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded and no outs.

"I just wanted to hit a deep fly ball. It felt really good coming off the bat, so I was hoping it was (a grand slam)," Moore said. "It felt like I should have been here all year, and I knew I could do it."

The game remained scoreless until the top of the fourth when the Vikings scored twice on Liz Franklin and Katelyn Cotton RBIs.

Sparkman's Kailey Stoker cut the lead to 2-1 with a home run in the bottom of the fifth.

Sparkman held on for a 6-5 win over Spain Park in its first game of the day. The Senators built a 4-0 through five innings before Mary Kathryn Bonamy hit a three-run homer in the top of the sixth.

The Senators answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 6-3 lead, and Spain Park scored twice in the top of the seventh.

Sparkman continues its quest for a three-peat at 10:30 a.m. today against Albertville in the semifinals.

"I hope (the momentum from the grand slam) carries over and helps us stay pumped up and keeps us going," Moore said. "I think you can expect (a three-peat)."